Review – Monty Python Fluxx from Looney Labs

note – thanks to the good folks from Looney Labs for providing a review copy of this game

And now for something completely different…

It’s…

Monty Python Fluxx!

I finally got to play a game with a Monty Python theme. My game group tends to go into Monty Python and the Holy Grail-speak when we play fantasy type games and it is always a good laugh when we do so. Being a huge Monty Python fan, there was a lot riding on playing the Fluxx version.

Unboxing

As with other card games from Looney Labs that I have reviewed recently, the cards are of a good quality and should stand up to plenty of playing, shuffling, etc. The art work by Todd Hamilton accurately captures the characters and theme of the Monty Python shows and in particular, the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail and will certainly bring a smile to the face of fans of the series. Whilst this game is listed as for an audience 2-6 players of age 13+, I would say that the ones who will really enjoy it most will be those who are Monty Python fans.

There are loads of fun Monty Python references in the art imagery and the text. I am sure that fans will instantly start quoting lines from the shows and the films and this adds to the fun. The cards are clearly written and easy to understand so its easy to get with the flow of the game. Monty Python fans will take the theme and run with it beyond the images and text although these have no effect on the game itself.

Gameplay

“We are no longer the knights who say ni! We are now the knights who say ekki-ekki-ekki-pitang-zoom-boing!”

As with other Fluxx games,Monty Python Fluxxis fantastically easy to learn as each card has its own set of instructions. The basic rules are straightforward – Draw a card, Play a card. As you draw cards, new information is added –

– New rules which take effect instantly and are added to previous rules played if they don’t contradict

– Goals which means you can’t really plan ahead, just hope to get the right cards at the right time so you are subject to cards in play and cards you draw. Random and luck filled but if you accept that, its part of the game. Whoever completes the goal first wins.

– Keepers which are mostly needed to complete a goal

– Actions which are used once and discarded. They can cause major chaos or have no effect, you never know.

– Creepers are generally things you want to get rid of as holding them will prevent you from completing a goal to win

– Surprises which can be played any time, including someone else’s turn

The game plays very quickly and with all the information coming through on the cards, you will know what to do. Due to the constantly changing rules and goals, its hard to develop any strategy so its all down to the play of the cards in the moment. Some may not like the randomness, others will find it loads of fun.

Did it work for me?

“Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Know what I mean?”

I can only repeat what I said previously about Star Fluxx. Being a fan of randomness helps a lot for me so I definitely enjoyed playing Monty Python Fluxx. I have no doubt that my non-gamer friends who enjoy Monty Python will enjoy it as well as I will be able to teach it within minutes. That is a great point for me as I will use it with non-gamers as some light fun which doesn’t take too long. I do like the changing rules and goals as you do have to stay on your toes and it is also a great equalizer when playing with serious gamers who like to plan things out and look for optimum strategies. Having said that, I think that they are less likely to want to play. For me, this is my favourite of the Fluxx games as I love the theme and can easily add to it. Others may like the theme to have a bit more depth but this just wouldn’t fit the Fluxx model so like Top Trumps, the theme is pasted onto the core mechanics engine which purrs along nicely. A fun experience with a fun game.

For an easy, brain-friendly family game, Monty Python Fluxx works very nicely indeed, squire.